Center-iron and lap-ring.



Patented May 27, i902.

N0. 7U|,l68. P. H. DE BUCHEMUNT.

CENTER IRON AND LAP RING.

(Application filed Feb. 8. 1902-) (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PERKINS HOlVARD DE ROOHEMONT, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

CENTER-IRON AND LAP-RING.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 701,168, dated. May 27, 1902.

Application filed February 8. 1902. Serial No. 93,235. (No model.)

declare the following to be a f nll, clear, and

exact descriptionof the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to center-irons and lap-links for singletrees, doubletrees, or other purposes to which it may be adapted; and the primary object of the same is to provide a simple and efiective organization of parts, whereby the members of the lap-link may be easily assembled in operative relation to the center-iron and wherein also a rigid construction of link is avoided and the parts of the latter disposed for free movement without becoming separated to compensate for the motion of the draft-animal, and thereby obviate wear and breakage.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a lap-link in which the members open vertically in a plane at right angles to the connecting device placed in engagement therewith to avoid any liability of such connecting device from becoming accidentally detached.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a single or double tree or other device, showing the improved centeriron and lap-link applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal vertical section through the assembled devices shown by Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken in the plane of the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the parts shown by Fig. 1, illustrating the members of the lap-link in open position. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of one of the members of the lap-link.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a whittletree member or other analogous device to which the improved center-iron and lap-link are adapted to be applied. The improved device comprises a center iron or end 2, having a forwardly-projecting head 3, with a front vertical wall 4, having a pair of openings 5 formed therein and disposed in transverse alinement. The inner face of the wall 4; is also formed with a transversely-extending groove 6 at a central point and of substantially semicircular contour. The openings 5 flare toward the front face of the wall 4, as clearly shown by Fig.2, and therein are loosely mounted the curved shanks 7 of lap members 8, which are counterparts of each other in construction and have reversely-arranged flat faces 9, similar to the ordinary lap-link construction. The shanks 7 of the members 8 are cylindrical in cross-section and of materially less diameter than the openings 5 in the front wall 4. The shanks 7 are provided with transversely-extending or T heads 10 to engage the groove 6.

In assembling the and and lap-link members the latter are individually inserted through their respective openings 5 from the interior of the end and the heads 10 are drawn up into the groove 6. After the cuff is applied to the member 1 the heads 10 are held within the groove 6, but are permitted to have a free pivotal action in a vertical direc tion.

When it is desired to cause the members 8 to be engaged by a connecting device, said members arepulled apart in a vertical direction, as'shown by Fig. 4, the outwardlyflared formation of the said openings permitting this movement. When the members 8 are open, the free ends of the same are out of contact with the adjacent portion of the correlative member, and the connecting device can then be readily inserted in both members. When the connecting device is so inserted, the members are drawn together, and it will be seen that it will be impossible for such connecting device to become accidentally disengaged, no matter how far it may ride around in opposite lateral directions. The loose attachment of the members 8 overcomes the objectionable rigidity of the ordinary formation of lap-links, and the de vice accommodates itself to the movement of IOC the draft-animal, thereby avoiding wear and breakage. a

The improved device can be cheaply man- 7 nfactured and the dimensions and proporsaid openings, the said members being spread apart and drawn together in a Vertical plane in the opening and closingmovements thereof.

3. In a center-iron and lap-link, the combination with a center-iron having a head formed with a pair of openings, and an inner groove, and a lap-link comprising a pair of members having shanks movably extending through the said openings to permit the mem-,

bers to be opened and closed in a vertical plane, the inner terminals of the shanks being in the form of transverse heads movably engaging the groove.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PERKINS HOWARD DE ROCHEMONT. 'lVitnesses:

L. J. POWELL, W. G. Woons. 

